Arizona Dem in tough rematch accused of 'desperation'

Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Ariz.) is getting hit for being "desperate" to stay in Congress by the same opponent who wanted to defeat him and go to Washington in 2008.

Mitchell is one of several incumbents embroiled in a grudge match with the opponent he faced last cycle during a more favorable national environment. Mitchell defeated Republican David Schweikert by 9 points in 2008, but the two-term Democrat's considered somewhat of an underdog this time around with the momentum and energy building on the Republican side.

The announcer in Schweikert's new TV ad says Mitchell is "running false ads because he's desperate to stay in Washington."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has reserved airtime in Phoenix, which could be used to reinforce Mitchell, who had $835,000 banked at the start of August. Schweikert reported close to $225,000 cash on hand at the same time.